To have a home in the most biodiverse country in the world…

Yasuni National Park, in Ecuador´s Amazon Forest, is the most biologically diverse region on Earth. If you have begun to grasp the full intensity of our planet´s nature, then you have probably heard about the Yasuni-ITT initiative and support it. Nearly 1 billion barrels of crude oil are estimated to lie underneath its northwest section, worth an estimated $10 billion. The Government issued a proposal whereby it promised not to extract the oil in exchange for compensation from developed nations of half the money it would receive by exploiting this biodiversity sanctuary for the whole world.

But Yasuni is not the only bio-ecological paradise in Ecuador. In fact, with a square surface of roughly 283,561 km² (about the size of Arizona), it is the most biodiverse country on Earth, for its size. This means that per square meter, it is possible to find the greatest and most astounding variety of water resources, fauna, flora, and climate diversity in the world. This is largely due to its amazing geographical diversity, comprised of four regions ranging from subtropical humid climates with permanent rainfall in the moist green jungle; to temperatures between 12–20°C in 1,700-2,800 meters above sea level, and below 10°Cabove the 3,200 meters; to dry summers and rainy and humid winters in the Coast, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean.

Ecuador´s habitats hold about 8% of all the species of amphibians on Earth and 16% of bird species. The Biodiversity Group and its Ecuadorian Biodiversity Project have recorded over 10,000 animals over the past 10 years and discovered 40 previously unknown species. It is also the proud home of the fascinating Galapagos Islands, whose National Park and Marine Reserve are unique and extraordinary microcosms with high levels of endemism, representing the best conserved of the world´s tropical archipelagos. So much so, that in 1978 UNESCO labeled it a World Heritage Site.

Besides the Amazon region and the Galapagos Archipelago, the Highlands and the Coast are outstanding ecosystems as well. The glaciers and volcanoes that crown the imposing and majestic Andes, along with its streams, paramos, and grasslands, support a wide variety of wildlife, including the Ecuadorian condor, of which there are now only 50.

The coast of Ecuador holds some of the most unique and amazing biodiversity in the world, with biomes ranging from tropical dry forest, through humid forest and into cloud forest. The abundance of mangroves and the vast ecological reserves, such as Mache Chindul, LaloLoor Reserve and Jama Coaque Reserve, all located in Jama, as well as the Machalilla National Park (in Puerto Lopez, Manabi), make it one of the megadiverse regions in the planet. The wild variety of trees, (including timber, rubber, wool plant, vegetable ivory, and banana trees), make up the habitats of over 3,500 species of animals. Parrots, mountain lions, bobcats, jaguars, sloths, anteaters, macaws, parrots, toucans, redfish, boobies, lizards, iguanas, and capuchin monkeys are but a few of the species that can be found in this magical place.

The best part of it all is that you can experience the richness of Ecuador´s biodiversity any day, anytime, as distances are so short and roadways continue to improve with each passing year. The Galapagos Islands are only a two-hour flight from Guayaquil, and an hour and a half from Manta, the closest city to JAMA CAMPAY. This is why having a home here is a true gift from nature. “Ecuador loves life”, they say. But we say, “life loves Ecuador”, because it has blessed us with its uniqueness. And now you can be a part of that blessing.